Conor McGregor still has a Khabib Nurmagomedov rematch in mind, though he acknowledges the likelihood of this happening has greatly diminished.
The former UFC two-time champion said at the UFC 257 press conference on Thursday that he believes there are still many unfinished business between himself and Nurmagomedov. But if Nurmagomedov wants to retire, McGregor said he has no choice but to move forward.
Nurmagomedov’s father and head coach, Abdulmanap, died last summer due to complications from COVID-19. Nurmagomedov, the current UFC Lightweight Champion, announced his retirement after a title defense against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in October. He has since largely held on to the position of retiring in interviews, although he has left a small window open for a return.
“It’s a tough thing,” said McGregor. “Things are going on in his personal life. I wish him no harm. Like I said, it was in 2018. A lot of time has passed. The world knows this battle is not over. This war is not over. The sport. needs it to happen, the people need it to happen, I ain’t going after it if he don’t want it to be And that’s it I’ll keep calm and move on And that’s what I’m doing I’m here back in the 155-pound division. I’ll show the world what’s what over time. “
Nurmagomedov defeated McGregor via fourth-round submission at UFC 229 in October 2018. The run-up to that bout was ugly, with McGregor being arrested for throwing a dolly through a bus window in search of Nurmagomedov, whom McGregor teammate Artem Lobov had left days earlier hit. After Nurmagomedov’s victory over McGregor, he climbed out of the Octagon and ignited a brawl with McGregor’s team. Inside the cage, McGregor was attacked by Nurmagomedov’s training partners. There were multiple suspensions by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
McGregor and Nurmagomedov are in the same hotel in Abu Dhabi this week. McGregor will fight Dustin Poirier in the UFC 257 main event on Saturday. Nurmagomedov is in town around the corner from his cousin Umar, who won on Wednesday with the UFC Fight Night card. The two have not encountered each other and the UFC security is aware of the threat.
“What I will say is that as long as we fight again, there will be no problem,” said McGregor. ‘That is it. If he keeps running, I’m not sure. We’ll see what happens. ‘
Nurmagomedov remains the UFC lightweight champion, but McGregor doesn’t think it will last much longer.
“I would make sure that if that guy continues to dodge this and avoid the obligation to compete again, the title should be stripped and [Poirier and I] should have a title fight, “said McGregor.” But I’m sure it will happen after this fight. I’m curious about the apologies or what will be said after the fight. But I predict a title strip. “